Description

The latest Apple application processor engine : from the stacked board to the A11, and reverse costing of TSMC's updated inFO packaging.

Until 2015, Apple used to integrate its application processor engine (APE) in standard Package-on-Package (PoP) packaging. Starting in 2016, with the Apple A10 APE in the Apple iPhone 7, TSMC has brought a breakthrough fan-out technology called integrated Fan-Out (inFO) packaging to the market. This is still the most innovative, powerful and cost-effective fan-out packaging technology for the APE. For its latest flagships, the Apple iPhone 8 and tenth’s anniversary iPhone X, Apple has renewed its collaboration with TSMC by using the new generation of inFO packaging for the Apple A11 APE.

Comparing the iPhone X and the iPhone 8, Apple and its partners have integrated the two flagships’ main boards differently. In the iPhone X, the main board uses special printed circuit board (PCB) technology from AT&S to reduce its PCB footprint by about 15%. To do this, AT&S uses two stacked PCBs with components mounted on both sides and a via frame. The APE is located inside the structure, under the DRAM package, using PoP technology. This new version also features new land-side decoupling capacitor (LSC) technology.

The Apple A11 is a wafer-level package using the new generation of TSMC’s packaging technology. It uses copper pillars, called Through inFO Vias (TiVs), to replace the well-known Through Molded Via (TMV) technology. Apple still outperforms standard PoP technology thanks to the inFO packaging and its innovations, which include copper pillars, redistribution layers and silicon high density capacitor integration.

This report analyzes the complete package, from the DRAM memory to the LSC developed by TSMC. The report includes a comprehensive cost analysis and price estimation of the device based on detailed description of the packaging. It also features a detailed technology comparison with standard PoP and Shinko’s MCeP PoP packaging.

Technology comparison with Samsung’s PoP, Shinko’s MCeP and the previous inFO generation from the Apple A10

About the authors

ABOUT SYSTEM PLUS CONSULTING

System Plus Consulting specializes in the cost analysis of electronics, from semiconductor devices to electronic systems.

Created more than 20 years ago, System Plus Consulting has developed a complete range of services, costing tools and reports to deliver in-depth production cost studies and estimate the objective selling price of a product.

System Plus Consulting engineers are experts in:

Integrated Circuits

Power Devices & Modules

MEMS & Sensors

Photonics

LED

Imaging

Display

Packaging

Electronic Boards & Systems.

Through hundreds of analyses performed each year, System Plus Consulting offers deep added-value reports to help its customers understand their production processes and determine production costs. Based on System Plus Consulting’s results, manufacturers are able to compare their production costs to those of competitors.

With Apple and TSMC changing the game, 2016 is a turning point for the Fan-Out market. The number of enforceable patents is increasing worldwide, with several companies already standing out by virtue of their strong IP position.